Banned Books on Screen

About the Series

Intellectual censorship has reared its head time and time again throughout history. When the powerful feel the threat of the people, they're quick to limit access to information that runs counter to their narrow hegemonic values. Book bans (and burnings) are a time honored tradition of these spineless oppressors. Over the past few years, we've seen a proliferation of them across the country. In the Age of the Internet, these bans feel particularly performative—a symbolic gesture that spits in the face of the First Amendment. With this series, we shine a light on work that has been adapted from banned books or banned authors in the state of Iowa

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

Tue, May 20 7:00pm

It's 1983 and 17-year-old Elio is spending the summer with his family in Lombardy, Italy. He soon meets Oliver, and together they discover the beauty of awakening desire that will alter their lives forever.

FIELD OF DREAMS

FIELD OF DREAMS

Sat, May 24 open Caption 8:30pm

Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Thus begins a quest to turn his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams come true.

NATIVE SON (1951)

NATIVE SON (1951)

Tue, May 27 7:00pm Thu, May 29 7:00pm

In 1940s Chicago, a young Black man takes a job as a chauffeur to a white family, which ends up being a nightmare, and ultimately a thorough critique of systemic racism in the United States.

Past Films in this Series

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)

Sat, May 17

BELOVED ON 35MM

BELOVED ON 35MM

Sun, May 4

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